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Summary Communism in Russia
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A brief summary of the rise of Communism in Russia in the early 20th century.
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Communism in Russia 1900-19171905 REVOLUTION ISSUES THAT LED TO THE REVOLUTION
Long Term Causes:
Political Structure
Tsar Nicholas II ruler from 1894- 1917
- Depended on support of ministers
- Weak Ruler
- Became unpopular:
o Married German Princess Alexandra
o Royal family under influence of Holy Man – Rasputin
Social Structure
Russian Economy deeply divided
- Nobles owned most land
- Bourgeoisie formed 3% of total population
- 85% population was peasants they were illiterate and had
low paying jobs
- Urban working class were small, lived in dreadful conditions
Russian Economy
Economically Russia were very far behind Western Europe
- Peasants used old farming methods
- Industries not as advanced as Western Europe
- Lack of infrastructure, insufficient roads, canals and
railways.
Workers and Peasants vs Tsar Nicholas II
- Workers lived in overcrowded slums on outskirts of cities
- Housing very scarce
- Hours of work very long, workers paid very little
- Increase in population, peasants battled to produce enough food to
pay taxes.
- 1902 Peasants ransacked landowners stores of grain
Social Democrats
Social Democrats led by Plekhanov
- They believed that industry, mining and banking should be
controlled by proletariat
- Believed in seizing power- Revolution
- Social Democrats split into 2 factions after disagreement:
Bolsheviks (Majority) and Mensheviks (Minority)
Social Revolutionary
Formed in 1901, Revolutionaries believed that peasants should
be involved in nn overthrowing Tsar.
- Land seized from nobles and church
- Land controlled by village communities instead of privately
1
, Communism in Russia 1900-1917
- Small group assassinated Tsar officials
Constitutional Democrats (Cadets)
Industrial, merchants and intellectuals.
- Get rid of corrupt police
- Limit Powers of Tsar
- Introduce democratically elected parliament
Immediate Causes
- Tsar ignored growing unrest of empire, he focused his
attention on foreign affairs
- Had ambitions to extend Russia to far east to call himself
‘emperor of the pacific’
- Tension between Russia and Japan increased in 1903
- In February 1904, the Japanese attacked Port Arthur ->
Russia declared war on Japan
o The Tsar believed that this war would unite the Russian
people and bring an end to strikes and unrest. The
Russians believed they could achieve a swift victory
- Russia’s defeat against Japan caused unrest and demands for
reform.
- There was a shortage of food and prices were rising as an
effect of the war.
1905 Revolution
- Unrest breaking out in St Petersburg 190
- Demonstration led by Father Gapon, he protested for:
o Better working conditions
o A parliament chosen by people
o Freedom of speech
o An end to war with Japan
- Father Gapon led 150 000 workers on march to Winter
Palace, Cossacks began shooting
- +- 200 demonstrators were killed and thousands were
wounded.
- Known as ‘Bloody Sunday’
LINK BETWEEN 1905 AND 1917 REVOLUTIONS
Mass Participation of workers and peasants – Mobilization of
masses
- Peasants looted larger estates, seized land
- Workers joined revolutionary parties
- Workers began to elect own councils to form Soviets
Political changes after 1905
- Tsar Nicholas II issues October Manifesto
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